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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 440

Three: Leading Stoker G. H. Williams, who was torpedoed with H.M.S. Dublin and later saw action at Jutland with Active and serving ashore during the Second World War

1914-15 Star (K.1952, G. H. Williams. Sto. 1. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K.1952 G. H. Williams. L. Sto. R.N.), pitting and contact wear overall, very fine (3)

George Henry Williams was born at Gloucester, Gloucestershire on 12 August 1890 and enlisted with the Royal Navy on 6 September 1909 as Stoker Class II. Serving afloat for the first time with the cruiser Cumberland he was also stationed with the Battleship Impregnable before joining Dublin on 11 March 1913.

This vessel began the war in the Mediterranean and was soon posted to support the Gallipoli Landings in 1915, playing a notable role at X Beach on 25 April. She was patrolling for submarines in May 1915 when the Austro-Hungarian U-IV managed to hit her with a torpedo. Despite the damage Dublin managed to escape and remained afloat, being posted home in 1916.

Williams went ashore on 6 February 1916, joining the crew of the light cruiser Active on April 1916. Posted to support Admiral Jellicoe's flagship Iron Duke she performed this role during the Battle of Jutland. Active was stationed on the left of the destroyer screen before the battle and when the fleet deployed to port she was stationed behind the battleline. As such she fired only eight rounds from her 4-inch guns during the the fighting.

After Jutland Williams briefly went ashore before returning to Active on 1 January 1917 and seeing out the rest of the war with her. After the end of the Great War he was posted to Cadmus at Hong Kong, Walrus and Hood. Shore pensioned on 8 March 1931 Williams was called up again for service in the Second World War. Here he served ashore at the shore base Cochrane and is listed as demobilised on 15 February 1945; sold together with copied service papers.

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